Fever Contributes To Nothing But Nets Initiative

News Release | August 10, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever announced today it is teaming up the Women’s National Basketball Association’s WNBA Cares and Nothing But Nets, a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by delivering insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. On Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, the Fever will host a Nothing But Nets Night where fans will learn more about malaria and the campaign through PSA announcements, auctions, halftime presentations and a booth on the Main Concourse. This is one of several Nothing But Nets in-arena events being planned by WNBA teams this year as part of the WNBA Cares’ partnership with Nothing But Nets.

While malaria has largely been eradicated in the United States, between 350 and 500 million people are still infected worldwide every year, and of those, more than one million die. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from a malaria infection. The insecticide-treated bed nets can help reduce the spread of malaria by 50 percent and can potentially save thousands of families from this deadly disease. A donation of $10 to Nothing But Nets covers the cost of purchasing an insecticide-treated bed net, distributing it and educating communities on its use.

Fever players will bring this initiative home when they play Connecticut on August 15. Each player will donate $10 to the Nothing But Nets’ campaign for each point that they score during the game. The players are challenging their fans to join the effort and match their favorite player’s donation. Along with the money donated, the players will also autograph several items to be auctioned off. Nothing But Nets T-shirts and hats can also be purchased during the game, and $10 from every $25 lower level ticket purchased will be donated to this cause.

The Fever players are pushing for everyone to join the fight against malaria. Help them and the United Nations Foundation respond to an immediate and urgent need for 40,000 long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets for displaced persons and refugees living in 15 temporary camps along the Chad-Sudan and Chad-CAR border. Remember: “send a net, save a life." For more information or to purchase tickets visit FeverBasketball.com. or access NothingButNets.netto get more information on this great cause.

The Fever, 19-11, has secured its third straight playoff berth and its fourth in franchise history. Indiana is currently competing for home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round, which begins Thursday, Aug. 23. First-round playoff games are conducted August 23-28, with the higher-seeded teams hosting games 2 and 3 of the best-of-three game series.

About Nothing But NetsNothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, the people of The United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. Other partners include VH1, The Mark J. Gordon Foundation, AOL Black Voices, Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Wasserman Foundation, WNBA Cares, and Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations dollar for dollar. Visit NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.